There are three matchups of top-25 (AFCA Top 25) teams paired against one another this weekend. Two of them in the Missouri Valley, and the other in the Big Sky. No. 3 Idaho hosts No. 10 Montana in a Battle for the Little Brown Stein in the only Top-10 matchup of this week. The game is on ESPN2 on Saturday (8:30 pm MT). No. 15 North Dakota hosts No. 7 North Dakota State. This is the 116th meeting between NDSU and UND dating back to 1894. And No. 20 Youngstown State travels to No. 17 South Dakota. Both of those two teams have wins against top-5 teams in their resume already this season.
With a new episode each Wednesday, “FCS Delivered” goes inside the action and news across the subdivision. Two-time Super Bowl champion Gary Reasons and national FCS writer Craig Haley have plenty to talk about and debate, including the latest Top 25 poll, weekly awards winners, and key matchups. The show also features “FCS National Awards on Campus,” Reasons’ weekly visit and presentation with a national player or team of the week. FCS Delivered, presented by FedEx Ground, is available on TheAnalyst.com, YouTube and podcast platforms.
FCS ALL-IN is produced by Big Sky Conference staff in collaboration with communications directors and video managers at all FCS Conferences -- features Craig Haley (Stats Perform) and Sam Herder (HERO Sports) with host Alex Eschelman. It's available on YouTube this week.
BIG SKY CONFERENCE
- Little Brown Stein Clash Featured on ESPN2 this Saturday -- No. 3 Idaho hosts No. 16 Montana on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. MT, as the Kibbie Dome will be featured on ESPN2 for the first time since 2010. Saturday's meeting will mark the 89th between Idaho and Montana, as the two clash for the Little Brown Stein. The Vandals upended Montana 30-23 last year in Missoula, as the win was the first in the series for Idaho since 1999.
- The ESPN2 game this Saturday won't be the only one for the Big Sky this season, as next week's matchup between Montana State and Sacramento State will also be on the network. Kickoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. MT in Sacramento between the second-ranked Bobcats and fourth-ranked Hornets.
- Bobcats Look to Extend Home Winning Streak -- No. 2 Montana State hosts Cal Poly on Saturday in Bozeman, as the Bobcats seek to extend their 23-game home winning streak. The streak for MSU is currently the longest in the FCS and tied with Georgia for the longest active streak in Division I.
- Longest Home Winning Streak (FCS/FBS) --T1. Montana State (FCS) - 23 games; T1. Georgia (FBS) - 23 games;3. Michigan (FBS) - 19 games; T4. Florida A&M (FCS) - 17 games; T4. Utah (FBS) - 17 games
BIG SOUTH-OVC FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
- UT Martin won the battle of nationally ranked teams last week, knocking off No. 25 Eastern Illinois 28-27 in overtime. The Skyhawks are the only 2-0 team in Big South-OVC play entering the week and have won seven-straight conference games dating back to last year. After its win UT Martin moved to No. 17/19 in the polls. The Skyhawks are ranked ninth nationally in total offense (464.5 yards per game).
- Gardner-Webb senior Brice Bass had a career-high three sacks in the team’s victory over Robert Morris last Saturday. Bass was the first Runnin’ Bulldogs player to have three sacks in a game since Ty French did so on Oct. 23, 2021, also against Robert Morris. As a team, GWU ranks ninth nationally in sacks per game (3.20).
- Like Father, Like Son. Tennessee State freshman Eriq George recorded the first sacks of his career in last week’s win at Kennesaw State. George had 1.5 sacks to go along with 2.0 tackles for loss and five total tackles. George is the son of TSU head coach Eddie George, the former Ohio State standout and member of the College Football Hall of Fame who played most famously played for the Tennessee Titans in the NFL.
- Bryant and Charleston Southern, each of whom are coming off open dates, are the last Association teams to play league games this season. Bryant hosts Robert Morris while Charleston Southern entertains Lindenwood this Saturday.
CAA FOOTBALL
- FIVE CONFERENCE GAMES ON WEEK 7 SCHEDULE: There are five conference games on the Week 7 schedule. Three teams remain unbeaten in CAA play and two of them are on the road as Elon (3-0) travels to Villanova and UAlbany (2-0) heads to New Hampshire. Delaware (2-0) is riding a 3-game winning streak as it hosts North Carolina A&T. Rhode Island welcomes Richmond in a matchup of squads with 2-1 CAA marks and Monmouth entertains Hampton in a battle of teams that are 1-1 in the CAA.
- ROAD WARRIORS: Road teams have an impressive 12-9 record in CAA play through the first six weeks of the season.
- LOOKING TO CONTINUE NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS: CAA teams are 19-9 against non-conference FCS opponents this season and will look to continue that success on Saturday. Maine is at home against LIU and Stony Brook hosts New York rival Fordham.
- MILLER TIME: Monmouth's Dymere Miller has 42 catches for 526 yards and 4 TD's through five games and ranks 1st in FCS in receptions and 4th in receiving yards. He has tallied over 120 receiving yards in each of his past three games.
- TAKING IT TO THE HOUSE: North Carolina A&T's Taymon Cooke returned a kickoff 94 yards for a TD against Villanova last week, which was his second of the season and the third of his career. He leads FCS with a 38.9 yard return average.
IVY LEAGUE
- A pair of league games highlights Saturday’s six game Ivy League football slate. Both contest pit top passing offenses in the FCS against top passing defenses. Brown, the national leader in passing yards per game, squares off against Princeton, which ranks fourth nationally in team passing efficiency defense, at noon. Then at 1:30 p.m., Penn, which ranks ninth in passing offense, takes on Columbia, the national leader in team passing efficiency defense.
- Of the six league games played this season, five have been decided by a single possession. Four have been decided by three or fewer points. Last season, 16 of the 28 league games were decided by one possession.
- This weekend marks the final weekend of non-conference play. Ivies are 13-7 against out-of-conference opponents, which has secured a winning percentage above .500 for the season. In 11 of the last 13 seasons, Ivies have finished non-league play with a collective winning percentage of .500 or better. Since 2017, the league is 101-39 (.721).
MID-EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
- After capturing a road victory over a nationally-ranked opponent to improve to 5-1 on the season, North Carolina Central University has been named the FedEx Ground FCS National Team of the Week, announced by Stats Perform.
- The Eagles posted their 500th all-time victory behind eight sacks and another big performance by quarterback Davius Richard (285 yards of total offense, four total touchdowns) to defeat then-No. 25 Elon University, 34-23. Down 10-0 after the first quarter, they scored 28 unanswered points over the second and third quarters, with Latrell Collier's 63-yard touchdown run putting them ahead for good.
- North Carolina Central quarterback Davius Richard was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola. Howard defensive back Carson Hinton earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, while NCCU’s Torricelli Simpkins III received Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades.
MISSOURI VALLEY FOOTBALL
- Six MVFC teams are ranked in Top 25 this week as South Dakota State, North Dakota State, Southern Illinois, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Youngstown State represent the MVFC in both top-25 polls. UNI is receiving votes in both polls, and Illinois State is receiving votes in the coaches rankings.
- South Dakota State is ranked No. 1 across the board (Sagarin, Massey, Stats Perform and AFCA rankings). Eleven of the league’s 12 programs have SOS ratings 23 or higher, including UNI, which has the FCS nation’s hardest-rated schedule.
- Two Conference games this week feature ranked MVFC teams playing one another. In the 220 previous such-meetings the home team is 125-93 and the higher-ranked team has a 138-82 record.
- Four MVFC QBs rank in the Top 7 of the NCAA in completion percentage -- all are at 71.5 percent or better [see page 5 of the attached PDF release for a full 2023 list]. Cam Miller of NDSU leads the FCS at 78.5 percent. The league has only had three QBs complete 70 percent of their passes for an entire season.
- Including Southern Illinois’ 14-11 win at Northern Illinois on Sept. 9, 2023, Missouri Valley Football Conference schools have combined for 49 wins against FBS teams since 1985. A league member has picked up at least one FBS win for 13 of the last 14 seasons (only missing the 2020-21 COVID season in which only one FBS team was played).
NORTHEAST CONFERENCE
- Coming off bye weeks, Wagner (2-0 NEC) and defending league champion Saint Francis U (1-1 NEC) returned to action for a rare Thursday night conference game under the lights of DeGol Field in Loretto, PA. The highly anticipated battle aired on CBS Sports Network, marking the NEC’s first-ever nationally televised linear game, and the first of two to appear on the platform this season. Later in the month, the action continues as Central Connecticut hosts LIU at Arute Field for a 7:00 pm showdown on CBS Sports Network (Oct. 26). Saint Francis won last night, 31-7.
- The Baystate Battle went in favor of Merrimack, as the Warriors (2-1 NEC) defeated Stonehill (1-2 NEC) by a 45-34 final on Saturday for their second-straight conference victory, while LIU earned its first NEC victory of the season with a 23-13 home win over Sacred Heart (1-3 NEC). Central Connecticut came out on top in a high-scoring affair with visiting Delaware State to conclude its non-conference slate with a 51-44 victory. Duquesne fell at No. 9/10 Delaware, 43-17, to cap off a grueling out-of-league schedule that also featured road games at West Virginia and Coastal Carolina.
- Central Connecticut sophomore Elijah Howard is coming off one of the top performances by an NEC running back this season. The reigning NEC Offensive Player of the Week ran for 257 yards in the Blue Devils’ win over Delaware State, marking the third-most rushing yards in a game by an FCS player this season, and the most by an NEC player (against a Division I opponent) since 2018. Merrimack junior Tyvon Edmonds Jr. is in prime position to run away with the NEC’s rushing title this season. Fresh off a 169-yard outing against Stonehill on Saturday, the elusive 5-8 running back has a league-best three 100+ yard performances under his belt and leads the circuit by a large margin with 770 yards. A native of White Plains, MD, Edmonds is fourth in the FCS in rushing yards and rushing yards per game (128.3).
PATRIOT LEAGUE
- HOLY CROSS RANKED NO. 11 AND 12 IN POLLS; FORDHAM, LAFAYETTE RECEIVING VOTES -- Holy Cross climbed one spot to No. 11 in the FCS Coaches Poll while remaining No. 12 in the Stats Perform Top 25 Poll after a 55-27 win at Bucknell. The Crusaders opened the season at No. 5 in both polls, the highest a League team has ranked entering the season. Colgate opened the 2004 season ranked No. 5 by The Sports Network. Fordham and Lafayette are receiving votes in both polls after both teams recorded victories during Week Six.
- LEAGUE FOOTBALL PLAYERS GARNERING NATIONAL ATTENTION THROUGH SIX WEEKS -- Four Patriot League football student-athletes have received national FCS weekly recognition from Stats Perform through six weeks. Fordham senior placekicker Brandon Peskin earned FedEx Ground National Special Teams Player of the Week after connecting on a career-long 45-yard field goal with time expiring in a 38-35 win over Lehigh on Oct. 7. and Lafayette sophomore QB Dean DeNobile claimed FedEx Ground National Freshman of the Week on Oct. 2 after throwing four touchdown passes in a 56-22 win over Bucknell. Per Patriot League policy, DeNobile, listed as a redshirt freshman by Stats Perform, is ineligible for League rookie honors as a sophomore academically. Holy Cross junior RB Jordan Fuller earned FedEx Ground FCS National Offensive Player of the Week after scoring five touchdowns against Merrimack. Fordham sophomore QB C.J. Montes earned the same honor on Sept. 11 after throwing for more than 300 yards and five touchdowns in a 40-37 victory over FBS opponent Buffalo in Week Two.
- MONTES AND SLUKA AMONG PASSING TD LEADERS -- Fordham So. QB C.J. Montes and Holy Cross Sr. QB Matthew Sluka are first and second in the FCS in touchdown passes heading into Week Six. Montes leads the FCS with 17 TD passes and has not thrown an interception through five games. Sluka is second in the FCS with 16 touchdown passes. He also has four rushing TDs.
PIONEER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
- The PFL’s three unbeaten teams, St. Thomas, Davidson, and Drake, are all in action during Week 7 of the college football campaign.
- ST. THOMAS AT DRAKE: St. Thomas travels down I-35 for another key league outing at Drake. The Tommies fended off Butler last week to move atop the league standings at 3-0. The Bulldogs won their fifth straight PFL game last week to improve to 2-0 in PFL play. It matches the league’s two most formidable defenses, with St. Thomas and Drake each holding opponents to 294 yards per game. Drake also has held its first two PFL opponents to three touchdowns and 23 points (11.5 points per game), while St. Thomas has allowed seven touchdowns and 52 points (17.3 ppg) in three games.
- DAVIDSON AT BUTLER: Davidson returns to the fray after its off week and heads to Indianapolis to face a Butler squad seeking to cause havoc in the PFL race. The Wildcats are 2-0 after downing San Diego in Week 5 and now strive to keep pace with St. Thomas. Butler fell to 2-1 after its loss at St. Thomas last Saturday and looks to stay in touch with the leaders the rest of the way. Davidson is the league’s top-ranked offense, with 535.5 yards and 52.0 points per game. Meanwhile, Butler is the PFL’s number three defense, holding opponents to 304.7 yards and 17.3 points per game. The teams traded roles a year ago, with Davidson shutting out Butler 31-0 in Davidson.
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
- After six weeks of play, the SoCon has three of the top 15 offenses in FCS football. Western Carolina is ranked No. 1 in total offense (531.8 yds/game), while Chattanooga is 11th (443.5 yds/game) and Samford is 14th (436.0 yds/game).
- After dropping its first two conference games, Samford has won two straight to bring its record to .500. A win over a top-5 opponent like Furman will give the Bulldogs their biggest win of the season and an opportunity to return to the top 25 for this first time in nearly a month.
- The Citadel is hosting the 79th installment of the Military Classic of the South against VMI. The Bulldogs have won the last two games against the Keydets. The contest is the Ingles Game of the Week and can be seen on various Nexstar affliates around the region.
- Mercer receiver Ty James matched a school record with 14 catches last week. The matchup of James and Chattanooga defensive back Kam Brown on the outside is an individual matchup to watch in this pivotal late season game.
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE
- "The Southland Conference is heartbroken to learn of the passing of Northwestern State football student-athlete Ronnie Caldwell Jr. this morning. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to Ronnie’s family, friends, teammates, classmates, and the entire Northwestern State campus. Our community is devastated and in mourning in the wake of this news. There are not adequate words that can express the pain we are feeling for this tragic loss. The Southland Conference family stands ready and available to support anything the Northwestern State community may need during this time of grief. Our focus remains with Ronnie’s family and those close to him who are mourning his loss." -- Chris Grant, SLC Commissioner.
SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
- A total of four conference match-ups highlight the broadcast schedule for week seven action in league play with Texas Southern at Bethune-Cookman (HBCU GO), Alabama State at Jackson State (ESPN+), Alabama A&M at Grambling State (ESPN+), and Prairie View A&M at Houston Christian (ESPN+).
- Florida A&M’s Jeremy Moussa was named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while Grambling State’s Sundiata Anderson was tabbed Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
- The 2023 Cricket SWAC Football Championship will be carried live on ESPN2 on Saturday, December 2 at 3:00 pm CST.
- The SWAC named Florida A&M’s Jeremy Moussa, Alabama State’s Colton Adams and Jayden John along with Jackson State’s Irv Mulligan its SWAC Football Players of the Week for their impressive performances during games played this past weekend.
UNITED ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
- The list of weekly award winners for United Athletic Conference (UAC) Football in Week Six included the first repeat winner of the season along with several career-best performances. The league office on Monday announced that Central Arkansas' Will McElvain (Offense), Utah Tech's Dondi Fuller (Defense), Tarleton's Adrian Guzman (Specialist), and Southern Utah's Anson Kraut (Freshman) were selected as the group of honorees.
- McElvain, a senior quarterback, completed 31 of 44 passes (70.4%) for a career-high 397 yards and four touchdowns in UCA's come-from-behind win over SEMO. He recorded touchdown passes of 19, 9, 73, and 45 yards all coming in the fourth-quarter comeback. On the game-winning drive that ended with 1:18 left on the clock, McElvain was 3-of-4 passing.
- EKU is 64-22-2 all-time on Homecoming and is currently on a three-year winning streak on the date. EKU won 24 consecutive Homecoming games from 1974-97. Saturday's game against Tarleton marks the second game for EKU inside UAC play. After Tarleton, the Colonels have four UAC games left on the doc against Utah Tech, Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, and Stephen F. Austin.